Johnny Cash (1932–2003)

Tracklist
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1 It Was Jesus
Drums – Morris Palmer
Steel Drums [Steel Drum] – Don Helms
Written-By – J. Cash*

2:03
2 I Saw A Man
Written-By – A. Smith*
Written-By – A. Smith*
2:31
3 Are All The Children In
Written By – O. Greene
Written-By – J. Cash*

1:52
4 The Old Account
Arranged By – J. Cash*

2:23
5 Lead Me Gently Home
Written-By – W.L. Thompson*

2:00
6 Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Arranged By, Adapted By – J. Cash*

1:50
7 Snow In His Hair
Written-By – M. Pack*

2:19
8 Lead Me Father
Written-By – J. Cash*

2:26
9 I Call Him
Written-By – J. Cash*, R. Cash*
h*
1:45
10 These Things Shall Pass
Written-By – S. Hamblen*

2:15
11 He'll Be A Friend
Written-By – J. Cash* 1:56
12 God Will
Written-By – J. Loudermilk*, M. Wilkin*

2:18
13 He'll Understand And Say Well Done
Arranged By, Adapted By – J. Cash*

2:24
14 God Must Have My Fortune Laid Away
Written By – T. Harris*

2:47
15 When I've Learned
Written-By – B. Killen*, D. Whitson*, R. Baker*

2:45
16 I Got Shoes
Arranged By, Adapted By – J. Cash*

1:59
17 Let The Lower Lights Be Burning
Arranged By, Adapted By – J. Cash*

2:11
18 If We Never Meet Again
Written-By – A. Brumley*

2:59
19 When I Take My Vacation In Heaven
Written-By – H. Buffum*

2:24
20 When The Savior Reached Down For Me
Written-By – G.E. Wright

2:02
21 Taller Than Trees
Written-By – L. Forebee*

1:50
22 I Won't Have To Cross Jordan Alone
Written-By – C.E. Durham*, T. Ramsey*

2:58
23 My God Is Real (Yes, God Is Real)
Written-By – K. Morris*

1:58
24 These Hands
Written-By – E. Noack*

2:12… (more)

The poems collected in Forever Words are gems by Johnny Cash. Not particularly because they are good poems per se but because they allow the fan into the mind of Cash. I honestly view these poems as lyrical sketches as the poems felt song like in the way they use rhyme and rhythm so deftly. If viewed as lyrics, these song-poems are successful. Mostly about love, and a few dealing with history, perhaps the most poignant song poem in this collection is I Heard on the News, which deals with the Vietnam War. Additionally, I Wish You a Merry Christmas is quite a hoot:

I Wish You a Merry Christmas

I send you best wishes too

For a long migraine headache

A hysterectomy on Christmas Eve

And a bathroom full of snakes

… (more)